Peer Richelsen's $100 Million Ambition Juxtaposed with Stark AI Warning

Peer Richelsen, co-founder and co-CEO of the open-source scheduling platform Cal.com, recently captured attention with a personal financial goal and a stark declaration regarding artificial intelligence. Richelsen stated his intention to retire and "unplug the internet" once he accumulates $100 million, immediately followed by the assertion, "AI will ruin us." This statement from a prominent figure in the tech world highlights a growing dichotomy between technological advancement and underlying concerns about its societal implications.

Cal.com, co-founded by Richelsen and Bailey Pumfleet in 2021, has rapidly established itself as a significant player in the scheduling software market. The company has successfully raised a total of $32.4 million across two funding rounds, including a $7.4 million Seed round in December 2021 and a $25 million Series A round in April 2022. Key investors backing Cal.com include Seven Seven Six (Alexis Ohanian's VC firm), OSS Capital, and Obvious Ventures, underscoring confidence in its open-source infrastructure and ambitious goal to connect a billion people by 2031.

Richelsen's personal financial target of $100 million, expressed on social media, reflects a common entrepreneurial aspiration for significant wealth accumulation. This ambition, however, stands in notable contrast to his subsequent, unelaborated warning about AI. While the specific context of his "AI will ruin us" comment remains open to interpretation, it resonates with broader discussions among tech leaders and the public regarding AI's potential negative impacts, such as job displacement, ethical concerns, and the erosion of human connection.

Interestingly, Cal.com itself appears to be exploring AI integration within its operations, as suggested by a LinkedIn post from Richelsen mentioning "cal.ai" in a context of improving operational efficiency and lead handling. This practical application of AI within his own venture presents a compelling juxtaposition to his public apprehension. The sentiment "AI will ruin us" from a founder whose company leverages AI underscores the complex and often contradictory views held by those at the forefront of technological innovation, reflecting both the promise and peril perceived in the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence.